Safe Routes to School project structure
Infrastructure Projects include the planning, design and construction of infrastructure-related projects that will greatly improve the safety and the ability of children to walk and bicycle to school. The following is provided as a guidance as to the types of infrastructure projects will be approve with SRTS funds.
- Sidewalk improvements: new sidewalks, sidewalk gap closures, and curbs, gutters, and curb ramps with sidewalks. All improvements must be ADA compliant.
- Traffic calming and speed reduction improvements: roundabouts, bulb-outs, speed humps, raised crossings, raised intersections, median refuges, narrowed traffic lanes, lane reductions, and full- or half-street closures.
- Pedestrian and bicycle crossing improvements: crossings, median refuges, raised crossings, raised intersections, traffic control devices (including timed on/off beacons, bicycle-sensitive signal actuation devices, pedestrian countdown signals, vehicle speed feedback signs at speed transitions, and pedestrian activated signal upgrades)1, and sight distance improvements.
- On-street bicycle facilities: new or upgraded bicycle lane widened outside lanes or roadway shoulders, geometric improvements, channelization and roadway realignment, traffic signs, and pavement markings.
- Off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities: exclusive multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trails and pathways that are separated from a roadway.
- Secure bicycle parking facilities: bicycle parking racks, bicycle lockers, designated areas (bicycle parking racks, bicycle lockers, etc.) with safety lighting, and covered bicycle shelters.
- Traffic diversion improvements: separation of pedestrians and bicycles from vehicular traffic adjacent to school facilities, and traffic diversion away from school zones or designated routes to a school.
Note: 1. Electronic devices must be permanent - not mobile.
Infrastructure improvements must meet all federal requirements including ADA requirements and comply with Mn/DOT standards and current State Aid standards.
Any consultant work for infrastructure projects must be included in the application.
Eligible non-infrastructure projects are smaller and could be used to promote and encourage walking and bicycling to and from school or initial funds to create a more comprehensive SRTS plan. Some of the eligible non-infrastructure projects have included:
- Creation and reproduction of promotional and educational materials.
- Bicycle and pedestrian safety curricula, materials and trainers.
- Training, including SRTS training workshops that target school- and community-level audiences.
- Modest incentives for SRTS contests, and incentives that encourage more walking and bicycling over time.
- Safety and educational tokens that also advertise the program.
- Photocopying, duplicating, and printing costs, including CDs, DVDs, etc.
- Mailing costs.
- Costs for data gathering, analysis, and evaluation reporting at the local project level.
- Pay for substitute teacher if needed to cover for faculty attending SRTS functions during school hours.
- Costs for additional law enforcement or equipment needed for enforcement activities.
- Equipment and training needed for establishing crossing guard programs.
- Costs to employ a SRTS Program Manager, which is a person that runs a SRTS program for an entire city, county, or some other area-wide division that includes numerous schools. (Program Managers may coordinate the efforts of numerous stakeholders and volunteers, manage the process for implementation at the local or regional level, and may be responsible for reporting to the State SRTS Coordinator.)
- Costs to engage the services of a consultant (either non-profit or for-profit) to manage a SRTS program as described in the prior bullet.